Idol Scene is about to Get Less with °C-ute Disbanding

After a 3 week absence the idol recaps are back and things are heating up with °C-ute news! But before anything I quickly wanna apologize for the long absence of these recaps but we’re back so let’s not wait any longer and get right into this week’s idol news!

HKT48 8th single title is revealed!

To start off this week’s idol news, HKT48 revealed on August 15th, 2016 the title for their upcoming 8th single. The title is going to be Saikou ka yo (最高かよ) which roughly translates to Is This Amazing or What. Additionally, the group revealed the covers as well as the set lists of the single’s 3 different types which are as follows:

Furthermore, HKT48 has been releasing the short version music videos of all 5 songs included in this single release over the past week on their official YouTube channel which can be viewed by clicking on the respective links above (if you aren’t region blocked of course).

Now I quite like the main single itself, especially how they put the Wota Mixinto the lyrics as well having the members going to various places that are connected to each word in the MV, like with the wok chef who’s cooking with Fire. On the other hand, I think the coupling songs are much stronger than the main single itself. Specifically Go Bananas! and Yozora no Tsuki wo Nomikomou being the real standouts! And even though I don’t have much knowledge on Anai Chihiro, I do like that they did give her a Graduation Song.

Saikou ka yo will be released on September 7th, 2016.

Aqours dress up in Yukata for new PV!

To dabble a bit into the realm of 2D idol news, Lantis‘ official YouTube channel released a PV on August 16th, 2016 for Sunshine Pikkapika Ondo (サンシャインぴっかぴか音頭)which will act as a coupling song for Aqours‘ new single!

It’s honestly always a joy to see the Aqours VAs and this PV is no exception! Even if you’re not a fan of the traditional folksong type of music this song obviously a part of, I do think that you’ll at least be able to enjoy the visuals because like I just said, it’s always a joy to see the Aqours VAs, especially the first years!

Sunshine Pikkapika Ondo will be included the release of the Love Live! Sunshine!! ED single Yume Kataru yori Yume Utaou (ユメ語るよりユメ歌おう) which will be released tomorrow on August 24th, 2016.

°C-ute to disband in June of 2017.

Now for what’s probably the saddest idol news of the week. The longtime Hello! Projectidol group, ℃-uteannounced on August 20th, 2016 their intention to disband in June, 2017. Although an exact date for the disbandment has yet to be announced, the 5 members of the group will be performing for the last time at the Saitama Super Arena which they all dreamed of performing at.

According to a press release, the 5 members met in February, 2016 to discuss their future as young women in the idol scene which is typically filled with young girls. During this meeting the members were presented with 3 options.

Graduate from Hello! Project and continue as ℃-ute but outside of the idol scene.

Take a hiatus.

Disband.

However the members wanted ℃-ute to remain synonymous with Hello! Project which is what led them to their decision of disbanding the group so that it kept it´s legacy within the Hello! Project they all loved.

The history of Idol Group °C-ute

℃-ute initially began as seven girls in the Hello! Project training program Hello! Project Kids in 2002 with them later on being officially assigned to the group 3 years later in 2005. These seven were shortly after joined by an 8th member from the Hello! Project Eggs (now known as Hello Pro Kenshuusei) training unit. The group then went on to release 4 indie singles in 2006 but lost one of their own a couple of months after the release of the 4th. However, ℃-ute finally made their major label debut in February, 2007 with Sakura Chirari.

The group then quickly earned praise and even ended up winning the “Best New Artist” award in the 2007 Japan Record Awards. However℃-ute‘s 7 member lineup started decreasing 2009 with one having to leave due to medical reasons and other graduating to pursue modeling career which left ℃-ute with their current 5 member line-up which consists of Nakajima Saki, Suzuki Airi, Okai Chisato, Hagiwara Mai & Yajima Maimi who acts as the group’s leader.

℃-ute is currently the senior idol group within Hello! Project and is admired by idols both inside of H!P and the wider idol scene. Now even though I personally didn’t know much about ℃-ute prior to this announcement it sure is sad to see a group which such a legacy go, but I do completely understand the reasoning for their final decision. And similarly to what the members themselves as well as many other blogs & news sites have asked I will do so as well, please support ℃-ute to the fullest until their June 2017 disbandment.

Dempagumi.inc is releasing a new single!

The single is called Sai Psi Sai Kouchou! (最Ψ最好調) and will act as the opening for the second season of the currently airing TV Anime The Disastrous Life of Saiki K (Saiki Kusuo no Ψ-Nan). Though interestingly enough yet not surprising at all, the single is going to not only be released on CD, but also on Vinyl, Cassette as well as digital.

Additionally to the announcement, they also released the setlists for each release!

Limited Edition A CD+DVD

最Ψ最好調！(Sai Psi Sai Kouchou!)

Ψです I LIKE YOU (Psi desu I LIKE YOU)

TBA

最Ψ最好調！(Sai Psi Sai Kouchou!) (instrumental)

Ψです I LIKE YOU (Psi desu I LIKE YOU) (instrumental)

TBA (instrumental)

[DVD] 最Ψ最好調！MV & Making of.

Limited Edition B CD+DVD

最Ψ最好調！(Sai Psi Sai Kouchou!)

Ψです I LIKE YOU (Psi desu I LIKE YOU)

TBA

最Ψ最好調！(Sai Psi Sai Kouchou!) (instrumental)

Ψです I LIKE YOU (Psi desu I LIKE YOU) (instrumental)

TBA (instrumental)

[DVD] LIVE video (planned)

Regular Edition CD

最Ψ最好調！(Sai Psi Sai Kouchou!)

Ψです I LIKE YOU (Psi desu I LIKE YOU)

TBA

すきすきソング (Suki Suki Song, cover of the Himitsu no Akkochan theme song)

最Ψ最好調！(Sai Psi Sai Kouchou!) (instrumental)

Ψです I LIKE YOU (Psi desu I LIKE YOU) (instrumental)

TBA (instrumental)

すきすきソング (instrumental)

Vinyl Record (Limited)

最Ψ最好調！(Sai Psi Sai Kouchou!)

Ψです I LIKE YOU (Psi desu I LIKE YOU)

Cassette Tape (Limited)

最Ψ最好調！(Sai Psi Sai Kouchou!)

Ψです I LIKE YOU (Psi desu I LIKE YOU)

TBA

すきすきソング (Suki Suki Song, cover of the Himitsu no Akkochan theme song)

Now Ψです I LIKE YOU is ending of the current season of The Disastrous Life of Saiki K whichwas already released on August 8th, 2016 however as far as I’m aware it was a digital only release so it’s nice that it along with the new song Dempagumi‘s providing for the new season of the show are getting a physical release though I did not expect a Vinyl & Cassette release! But that’s Dempagumi.inc for ya. Dempagumi.inc are going to release Sai Psi Sai Kouchou! on November 2nd, 2016.

HKT48‘s new single sure is looking to be a solid single release and even though I wasn’t initially sold on it, after giving the main song a couple listens as well as the coupling songs I have decided to pick it up. But like I said before, the biggest news this week has to be the ℃-ute announcement however they’re still around for about 10 months so there’s more than enough time to enjoy them while they slowly head towards their final performance.